By Frank Lotierzo
Since being knocked out by Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in his last two fights, Roy Jones has yet to announce whether he'll retire from boxing or fight again. A few days prior to last weekends Johnson-Tarver light heavyweight title bout rematch, shown on HBO, the biggest rumor circulating was about Roy Jones. This came about when it had leaked out that Jones had told HBO he wants to fight again sometime this fall.
During the HBO broadcast of the Johnson-Tarver bout, Jones was asked by broadcast colleagues Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant if what they'd been hearing about him fighting again was true. This was brought on by Jones public statement that Johnson and Tarver were auditioning to fight him again and that he was also considering undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins as a future opponent. Which is bizarre to say the least since Jones won a unanimous decision over Hopkins to claim the vacant IBF middleweight title in May of 1993. Why would he want to fight Hopkins again when he has nothing to gain and plenty to lose.
Jones told his two HBO colleagues on the air that it would take a fight that really interested him to lure him back to the ring. But the he clearly indicated that if Hopkins beats Jermain Taylor next month, that would be a fight he would seriously have to consider? Hearing Roy Jones say a fight with Bernard Hopkins is something he'd consider tells me exactly what I've believed for over a year, "Roy Jones doesn't believe he can beat Antonio Tarver and clearly wants no part of him again in the ring." Further confirming something else I have believed about his mind set and character as a fighter. That being Roy Jones is more concerned with perception than he is proving that's he's an all-time great fighter.
There is no way Jones could be concerned about his legacy and not be obsessed with a rubber match against Antonio Tarver. Great fighters have to know for themselves, they ignore the risk knowing it's easier to live with losing the rubber match than it is knowing that the other fighter took their heart and shattered their confidence. Roy Jones by not campaigning to fight a third and winner take all bout against Tarver is very telling. And it doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure out what it's telling either. On top of that, Tarver has already been issuing challenges to Jones saying "I'm the only person who can give you your vindication."
This is what we know. Both Jones and Tarver are the exact same age, Tarver being the senior by two months. Antonio Tarver is also the best fighter that Jones ever faced at Light heavyweight, which happens to be where he fought the most title bouts and rounds. Until his first bout with Tarver, Jones never left the ring after a fight where he didn't prove he was the better fighter. After the first Jones-Tarver bout, half of those who saw it thought Tarver won and the other half thought Jones won, (I scored it 115-113 Jones).
When Jones met Tarver in their rematch six months later, it was his legacy fight. Meaning, he was getting a second chance to prove he was the better fighter against the only opponent who proved to be his equal in 49 fights in between March of 1989 through November of 2003. For this fight Jones left no stone unturned and hired fitness Guru Mackie Shilstone to help get him in the best shape possible. Jones, who was a 4-1 favorite promised Tarver at the press conference announcing the fight that he would get the "Real Roy this time."
In the rematch Jones started strong and boxed as well as he did at anytime during his reign as light heavyweight champ, clearly winning the round. In the second round, a perfect counter left from Tarver after Jones missed with his hook, caught him flush on his jaw and sent him to the canvas. Jones was out before his body crashed against the ring floor. He valiantly tried to get to his feet but collapsed falling face first. Jones barely reached his feet at the count of ten as referee Jay Nady observed a concussed Jones waving the fight off at 1:41 of the round. The sledge hammer left landed by Tarver was the only clean punch he had landed in the fight. With one left hand, Tarver took Jones WBC, WBA, IBO, IBA and NBA title belts.
After the fight Jones said "I can fight Tarver again or I can fight heavyweights," he continued. "I am not sure what I am going to do. If I don't have the same interest and enjoyment I always do, then I will stop." Entering the bout Jones had a record of 23-1, with 14 knockouts in title bouts. His one loss came against Montell Griffin back in March of 1997 when he was disqualified for hitting him while he was down on one knee in the ninth round. Four months after being stopped by Tarver, Jones fought IBF light heavyweight champ Glen Johnson. Jones saw Johnson, who was 8-9-2 in his last 19 fights as an easy win and a chance to pick up another title bout. In round five Johnson almost dropped Jones with a left hook. In the ninth round Johnson nailed Jones with an overhand right knocking him out.
Roy Jones hasn't officially announced whether he intends to fight again or retire since losing to Johnson. The only thing he's been quoted saying several times is, "he doesn't want to go out a loser." If Jones never fights again I don't look at him as a loser, only a fool would. However, if he fights again and it's not against the fighter who destroyed his image as an unbeatable fighter, I'll believe Tarver forever took his heart. Past champions have not taken the same path as Roy Jones after suffering a crushing defeat.
For example: Joe Louis was 27-0 entering his bout with former heavyweight champion Max Schmeling. As a 10-1 favorite Louis was dropped in the fourth round and stopped in the 12th, suffering the first defeat of his career. A year later he stopped "Cinderella Man" James Braddock to win the heavyweight title. Immediately afterward Louis said he won't feel like the champion until he fights Schmeling again and beats him. Louis, two years after being stopped by Schmeling made the fourth defense of his title against him. Louis stopped Schmeling in the first round and said afterward, now I feel like the heavyweight champion.
On July 26th 1977, future two time light heavyweight champion Marvin Johnson was stopped by Matthew Saad Muhammad in the 12th round of a gruelling fight that he had a commanding lead. Seven months later Johnson stopped Mate Parlov to capture the WBC title. Johnson said he wasn't the champ until he defeated Saad Muhammad. On April 22nd 1979, Marvin Johnson made his first title defense against Saad Muhammad. He left the ring as the former champ after being stopped in the eighth round. He also left the ring with a ton of respect.
On May 23rd 1922, Gene Tunney, undefeated in 40 fights was shellacked by Harry Greb. After the fight Tunney's family pleaded with him and encouraged him to retire from boxing. Tunney became obsessed with turning the tables on Greb. Seven months later they met again, this time Tunney won the decision. After splitting two fights with Greb, Tunney took him on three more times.
Great fighters who are true champions can't live with themselves until they avenge the fighter who humiliated them. They're not afraid to find out and live with the consequences. Joe Louis and Gene Tunney proved their greatness by bettering the fighters who took away their cloak of invincibility. Marvin Johnson never beat Saad, but went on to win the light heavyweight title twice more. Losing his title to Saad didn't hurt his standing as a fighter. Today he's remembered for displaying the heart of a great champion. Saad may have taken his title, but he didn't take his heart.
Realistically, there is only one fight that should interest Roy Jones. It's the only fight in which he has a chance to vindicate himself against the fighter who for all intense and purpose ended his career, Antonio Tarver. Ask yourself why Roy Jones acts as if Tarver doesn't exist or is retired, why. He holds a disputed decision victory over him and in the biggest fight of his career, Tarver demolished in with the first significant punch he caught him with.
Someone please explain to Roy Jones that what he's not saying is overshadowing what he is saying. As of this writing, Antonio Tarver is regarded as the best light heavyweight in boxing. A distinction Jones owned until fighting Tarver. Roy Jones should announce his retirement. He had a brilliant career and nobody can take that away. But if it bothers him going out after being knocked out in his last two fights by fighters the exact age as him, something that cannot be said about any other all time great. He has only one option, fight a rubber match with Tarver and be man enough to live with the result. Face it, Roy Jones doesn't believe he can beat Antonio Tarver. Which in reality means, Tarver shattered him as a fighter with one punch.
Tarver promised before his fight with Glen Johnson his performance will strike fear into any future opponents. ``When Roy Jones sees what I do to Glen Johnson, it's best for him to stay seated behind the microphone' Tarver said. ``Ain't nobody going to want Antonio Tarver after June 18. Nobody' If there is never a Tarver-Jones rubber match, at least we know one fighter who agreed with Tarver, Roy Jones.
